Climbing elements

Before a participant climbs, ALL of the following should be true:

1. You have completed your 4H check on the participant.

2. All the slack is removed from the rope.

3. You, the facilitator, are in the primary belay position behind the JRD or the belay device.

4. There is clear communication between the belayer and participant using first names.

3 Rules to Belaying

When using any type of belay device, we have 3 simple rules that, when followed, appropriately manages the risk of our participants.

0 – 1 – 75

1. 0 Slack - Always have ZERO slack in the rope. You should keep the rope tight at all times to minimize the distance a participant will descend if they were to slip or fall while ascending.

2. 1 Hand - Always keep one hand (the same hand) secured to the brake end of the rope.  Once you give your commands and a participant begins to climb, there should never be a moment when your hand leaves the brake end of the rope.

3. 75 – 75% of the time or more, you should keep the brake end of the rope in a locked position.  Any time that the participant is not actively ascending, you should have them in locked position.  Locked position looks a bit different depending on the belay device that you are using. When using a JRD, you will be performing a “Butt Belay” with the rope as it exits the back of the JRD.  Locked position means that you are pushing the rope down over your leg to increase surface area of friction on the rope. 

The basic method that we teach for belaying is the “up, down, slide, slide” method, however, as long as you do not break any of these 3 rules, then there are alternative methods that are acceptable.

Backup Belay / Anchor: Based on your training and discretion; utilize a backup belayer and/or anchor if you notice a weight differential between the facilitator and climber or as needed.

Note:  If facilitating a mature group, High School age or above, where participants have demonstrated trust and good judgment, it’s acceptable to allow 3 or more adult participants to belay other participants using the JRD’s.  In order to do this, simply have them stand behind the pole, each having both hands on the rope at all time (should always be “6 hands” on the rope).  This should only be done under close supervision of the facilitator.

Before any participant climbs on any belayed element, the responsibility of the facilitator is to ensure that participants are communicating with their belayer/belay team.  Rather than going through formal commands that the average participant doesn’t understand, we simply want to ensure that there is a clear line of communication created that is followed with each participant USING THEIR FIRST NAME.  A dialogue before climbing will sound like this:

• Facilitator:  “Sarah, are you ready to climb?”

• Participant:  “Yes, I’m ready.”

• Facilitator:  “Ok, go ahead and climb, Sarah.”

Why do we do this?  This not only helps the participant to be more comfortable, but also ensures that communication is clear when there are multiple groups climbing in one area.

Before a participant is lowered back to the ground, ALL of the following should be true:

1. All the slack is removed from the rope.

2. You, the facilitator, should have the rope in a locked position where you can receive the full weight of the participant before beginning to lower them. You should feel their full weight on the rope before ANY lowering takes place.

3. There is clear communication between the belayer and participant using their First Name.

4. At least one hand should keep the rope in a firm brake position at all times.

**    The participant should be lowered only as fast as they can walk, and never faster.

Follow all instructions for 4-H checks, JRD belaying, and commands.

• Do not allow anyone to be at the base of the wall while someone else is climbing. 

• Where ‘helmet only zones’ are present, all participants should remain outside that zone while someone is climbing.

• The Facilitator’s attention should always be directed to the participant climbing.

Follow all instructions for 4-H checks, JRD belaying, and Climbing Commands.

• Do not allow anyone under the Tree Throw platform unless they have a helmet on. There will need to be designated person(s) to be the ball catcher(s). Ball catcher(s) will need to have helmet(s) on while someone else is climbing. 

• The Facilitator’s attention should always be directed to the participant climbing.

• When the climber gets to the top, have them pull up the ball bag to throw items at the basketball goal. When the climber has completed their challenge have them lower the ball bag to the ground.

• To dismount the Tree Throw platform, have the participant sit on the platform, then gently slide off the edge. The participant should be lowered to the ground slowly (no faster than they can walk).

Follow all instructions for 4-H checks, JRD belaying, and Climbing Commands.

• Do not allow anyone near the Cargo Net platform unless they have a helmet on.

• The Facilitator’s attention should always be directed to the participant climbing.

• As the climber summits their challenge, remind them to reach as high as they can and grab onto the net with their arms fully extended. Ensure that you have as much slack as possible out of the rope. If possible, even call for a second facilitator (or participant) to help pull rope into the JRD.

• Instruct the participant to remove their legs from the cargo net first, then release their hands and swing away from the cargo net. - As they swing, DON’T begin to lower them down until they complete 1 full pendulum swing back towards the net. This will decrease the chance of them swinging back into the net.

• Lower the participant slowly, always ways watching to ensure they don’t get entangled in the net as they swing.

Follow all instructions for 4-H checks, JRD belaying, and Climbing Commands.

• Do not allow anyone near the Crate’r Mountain platform unless they have a helmet on. There will need to be designated person(s) to hand crates to the climber. This person will need to have a helmet on. 

• The Facilitator’s attention should always be directed to the participant climbing.

• It’s very important that you keep all the slack out of the rope. If possible, even call a second facilitator (or participant) over to help pull rope into the JRD. This increases tension in the system to better ensure the climber will not be lowered quickly at the beginning of the activity.

• As the climber gets higher, remind the crate handler to be aware of the potential fall zone to avoid crates when they come down. When the climber has completed their challenge, lower the participant to the ground slowly.

Follow all instructions for 4-H checks, JRD belaying, and Climbing Commands.

• Do not allow anyone near the base of the tree unless they have a helmet on.

• The Facilitator’s attention should always be directed to the participant climbing.

• As the climber summits their challenge, ensure that you have as much slack as possible out of the rope (if possible, even call for a second facilitator (or participant) to help pull rope into the JRD.)

• Instruct the participant to remove their legs from the tree first, then release their hands and swing away from the tree. - As they swing, DON’T begin to lower them down until they complete 1 full pendulum swing back towards the tree. This will decrease the chance of them swinging back into the tree.

• When the climber has completed their challenge, lower the participant to the ground slowly, always watching to ensure they don’t swing back into the tree or ladder.